"For 25 years Tom Wood lived in New Brighton, just across the river Mersey from Liverpool. He became known locally as 'photie man' because everyday he was out on the streets with his camera. Most of the pictures collected together in this book were taken within 5 minutes walk from Wood’s home. The work focuses on the inhabitants of the town and its regular visitors, from Liverpool day-trippers to clubbers who attended the Chelsea Reach nightspot. Wood’s images are a dazzling selection of cocky youths, friends, lovers, fathers, mothers and babies that provide insight into the area, it’s inhabitants and the rites of passage inherent in growing up."--from the publisher's description for Wood's 2005 book, Photie Man (edited by Manfred Heiting)
A signal work of 80s British documentary!

"[Wood's] photographs exude a raw vitality undercut by the artist’s approach to his subjects which is as respectful as it is voyeuristic, as committed as it is 'cold blooded'. Strangely silenced by the camera, every movement and every gesture becomes stark and uncomfortable in the pictures' shallow flashlight space – a fascinating crush of booze drenched bodies, hands groping bums, flickering tongues, bleary eyes, 'fag' smoke and sweat."--Thomas Erben Gallery